Course Fees

Course codes

Note

Research degrees are offered on a sponsored or full-fee-paying basis. Contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or the UTS: Graduate Research School for further details.

The PhD is a University-wide degree which involves an intense period of supervised study and research, culminating in the submission of a thesis. The degree is awarded to candidates who, through original investigation, make a distinct and significant contribution to knowledge in their field of specialisation.

Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

Research Training Scheme

The majority of domestic research degree students are funded through the Research Training Scheme (RTS). Through the RTS, the Australian Government provides a quota of tuition fee exempt places for postgraduate research places to recognised universities.

If you are granted an RTS place, you are not required to pay tuition fees. However, you can still expect to pay the ongoing costs of being part of an academic environment and conducting research. In addition to ongoing costs, you may also be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships

In addition, research scholarships to the value of $35,000 are available to support living expenses for domestic students to study master's by research and doctoral programs at UTS.

Tuition fee calculations

Tuition fees and RTS load for postgraduate research degrees are charged pro-rata based on the number of days a student is enrolled in each research degree semester and whether the student is enrolled after the research census date.

International student

Tuition fees for international students vary between courses and range from A$19,840 to A$34,080 per year. Tuition fees for postgraduate research degrees are charged pro-rata based on the number of days a student is enrolled in each research degree session and whether the student is enrolled after the research census date.

Tuition fees for international postgraduate research students can be found using fees search.

Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

For this course, the cost per semester for 2018 is $12810. The expected number of semesters are 8.

All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:

Careers

This research degree is especially valuable for those wishing to pursue an academic career, a career in research or an advanced level of professional practice.

Course structure

Course structure explained

This research degree is undertaken wholly by thesis. A PhD thesis is normally a work of 80,000–100,000 words.

Non-traditional thesis: While the doctoral thesis is normally written in dissertation style, candidates may, if they wish, illustrate their argument by also submitting creative work. The non-traditional material is considered a minor component of the thesis and is equivalent to a maximum of 30,000 words. Applicants should contact the research degrees administrator for further information about non-traditional formats for thesis presentation.

The Doctor of Philosophy is structured in three phases. Phase 1 involves the development of a number of advanced research skills and capabilities. At the beginning of the program, each student negotiates a doctoral study plan with their supervisor. This plan makes explicit the kinds of support each student requires. A formal doctoral assessment is undertaken at the end of Phase 1 in which the candidates present a full proposal for assessment, which is a prerequisite for entering Phase 2.

In Phase 2, students develop their individual program of research, and their progress to enter Phase 3 is assessed at the end of Phase 2.

In Phase 3 candidates engage in the preparation and submission of a major thesis, which makes a sustained contribution to knowledge in their field of inquiry.

Research and development activities are provided throughout the three phases to assist students to develop the capabilities of a successful doctoral graduate. Candidates are expected to attend all relevant activities throughout their candidature.

Course completion requirements

Additional information

Course duration

The maximum course duration is four years of full-time or eight years of part-time study.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised master's by research or bachelor's degree with first or second class honours (division 1), or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate research studies.

Selection criteria also include the quality of the research proposal, the faculty's ability to offer appropriate supervision in the applicant's chosen field, and, where necessary, demonstration of generic technical skills.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 7.0 overall with a writing score of 7.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 584-609 overall with TWE of 5.0, internet based: 94-101 overall with a writing score of 27; or AE6: Pass; or PTE: 65-72; or CAE: 185-190.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.